My Dining Room Turned Craft Room/Office and show off YOUR space!

March 24, 2011

The most emailed questions that I get are about my Dining Room that we turned into my Office/Craft Room. It’s one of my favorite rooms in the house and definitely the room I spend the most time in. So I thought I’d write a little post about what we did!

Before it was a plain dining room. It’s a great shape — kind of square and has a pretty detailed ceiling with lots of molding. The problem was that we are very casual people and only used the room maybe 2 times a year. And it’s such premium space in our home. The light is great and instead of making an office in the basement, I thought it would be a great place for my office/craft room. Plus, it’s right next to the kitchen, so I can work on dinner while working on a project.

I knew I didn’t want it to be on full display like it was as a dining room. But I also didn’t want to close up that space completely, because the light flows from the front of the house to the back through that space and also, if we ever sold the house, maybe someone would want a formal dining room.

So we decided to drywall in the arch and install some wide french doors. I love the way it turned out. The only problem is that you can still pretty much see through the doors in to my mess. And let’s face it — that room is always a mess with all of the projects I have going on LOL! So I am in the process of putting Silhouette frosted vinyl on the panes. That way the light can still come in but you can’t see through as well.

I have had a lot of questions about the furniture for this room. The desk is from PB Teen. It’s the Mega desk.

We used a tax refund to pay for it one year. And, yes, it is expensive, but I think totally worth the money because of the quality and the piece is a great size! I love that I can be working on a project and have my kids in there with me doing their homework. And if we have a big poster or something like that to work on, it totally fits on that desktop.

Another idea — I bet you could make this table with 4 file cabinets and 2 doors cut down a little. I’d love to see if anyone tries this!!!

The top is wood and was getting pretty banged up, so I had a glass installer make a piece of glass to fit over the top. And I love the way it looks. It protects the top and it’s easy to clean too.

The tall and short cabinets are all from Ikea. Totally affordable. I love the white, clean look and the scrolly design.

The paint color is Behr Sparkling Apple.A very happy green!

If you would like to share your office/craft space, I’d love for people to see it. I’ve made a linky where you can add your space and show it off!!

Hi Jen, I received a comment on my blog with a link to this post. I noticed it was weird because the comment said it was from a “new blogger” named Stephen but this post is from 2011. Anyway, just thought I should let you know since he is listing your blog under his name! Maybe it is just a mistake but I put the comment info below in case you want to look into it. Beautiful blog by the way!!

Whats up are using WordPress for your site platform? I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying
to get started and set up my own. Do you need any coding
knowledge to make your own blog? Any help would be really appreciated!”

Looks like what I did with my quilting room! I bought my house with the express purpose of turning my formal dining and living rooms (which are very often adjacent or open to one another in floorplans here) into my quilting studio. And I also painted my room green because It’s my favorite color! My paint color is Martha Stewart Beachgrass green, though, which is a bit subtler than your color. (But it kind of has to be because my room is much larger! It probably account for at least 25% of the living space in my house!)

My goodness I am so inspired..I am going to convert. My dining room into my weaving room. Two years ago I turned my living room into my artist studio. I have enjoyed it so much. The dining room is attached and is going to be for weaving ..just have to get it together..your ideas have helped me so much..thank you for sharing….I am going to put all your ideas to good use….by the way, I am retired and now it is time for me..our home is 45 years old and time for rooms to be changed for my needs now. Thank you again…lynda

How did you determine to go with 15 lite doors instead of 10 lite doors? We are about to close in a formal living room with 8 ft tall x 6ft wide french doors. I cannot decide if I want 18 lite doors or 10 lite doors. Wondering if the 18 lite door will look to busy. Thanks for any help as to how you determined to do 15 lite doors.

Wow! Look at all of those clean, organized, bright, organized, colorful, organized creative spaces! I love my studio, but I’m currently doing a major overhaul. Now that I’ve seen these posts I think I should also paint!

Thank you for sharing your beautiful craft room! I am in the process of redoing a space for my quilting room and love your ideas! Could you please provide a product number for the scolled shelving units from Ikea? They are just what I am looking for and did not find them on the Ikea website. Hope Ikea still carries them! Also, did you purchase the green storage baskets at Ikea?

Wow! I love this too and am now thinking of doing the same thing to my very similar (and seldom used dining room). Problem is that I also can’t find those Ikea cabinets and am so disappointed since I LOVE them! Please let me know if you find out any info on availability or an item number. Thanks much!
Lisa

I just stumbled upon your blogspot for the first time today – it awesome! When I was looking at your room redo, the floorplan is just the same is ours! We did the same thing – except turned the dining room into an office – we closed the living room shared wall in and added the french doors, the window looks to be the same size to. My question is this… did you do anything to close off the door to the kitchen? We've had ours redone for about 10 years now – always thought to close that off but wasn't quite sure how. We thought of an exposed sliding wood door. With the french doors opening into the office, it makes it a challenge. What are your thoughts? Thanks!

This was such a great idea – I just posted my own but it sure pales in comparison to your space! Thank you for giving me something to "aspire" to. I plan on showing this to my husband so I can start working on him "early" 😉

I have really loved checking out all the cute spaces here. So glad you did this! I'm slowly working on my space but I'm not great at organizing so seeing these beautiful organized spaces helps so much. Thanks so much for your post. It is bookmarked!

I HATE it when people don't use their homes to their fullest potential. If you did not use the dining room it was a waste of space and this space works wonderfully. I grew up in a 1300 square foot home and there were four kids. My mom had her "nice" room which was the biggest in the house. We weren't really allowed in it. I was so annoyed by it. I encourage friends to use every inch of their homes. We have our "nice room", but the kids are welcome in it and we actually use it on a daily basis. You have my wheels turning for my new craft space!

bookmarking this page for all the great ideas!! and because my sister has a huge room that would be PERFECT to try the filing cabinets/doors idea! once we do it I will let you know how it turn out! thanks for the money saving tip!!! i am in love with your craft room *one day*! when i'm not on a budget and in debt to my neck with student loans! *one day!* hahaha

Oh I had this bookmarked and then I still forgot. I hope I am not too late to join the party!I love your craft studio, that big desk is awesome and the color scheme so refreshing. A dream to work in I am sure!

Hi Jen,I just linked up to your crafty space party. I love what you did with your dinning room. My husband and I have been talking about doing the same thing, as we never use our formal dinning room either. But, ours is wide ope to the foyer and great room, so I didn't want my mess being open to those areas. But, you have given me something to think about, by dry- walling in the area and installing large french doors to keep the open feeling. I'll let you know if we do it. Thanks for sharing!xo,Sena

Your space is totally inspiring. My craft room is in the basement so I have to wait until everyone else is doing something to get to go down there. I think that making the dining room into the craft is brilliant! The kids always want to be with us anyway, it might as well be in the middle of the house. I also love that you went with a bold happy color. Thanks for sharing!!

Hey Jen! I have had plans to make one of those flag banners (like the pottery barn kids) for my twin boys room. Can you tell me how you did yours, what materials you used? I would greatly appreciate it! I love your craft room!! Im "green" with envy. LOL kelleyslaughter@yahoo.comKelley-Iheartthishome.blogspot.com

I love the french doors and the GIANT desk. I'm working from a teeny tiny space in Brooklyn where my sewing room is a corner in my bedroom and my cutting table is the kitchen table covered with a mat. I can only imagine having that kind of space!

you know i adore you office & craft room. i think that's one of the smartest ideas – ever! seriously. i would even do that to a "formal" living room as well. we are so casual here. of course you know i love the bunting as well.

it is so dreamy.

i'm soooo behind in blogland. i've been either busy with bags or being the tooth fairy. 😉

i linked up my older post of my craft room/office place. it's an oldie post but still looks the same other than i BIG MESS! hope it's ok i linked up an older post.

Is it a surprise that I LOVE this room? No, it is not. It is awesome. I wish you could travel down here and help me transform my bonus room into a craft room. And um, finish all those other prjects languishing up there….

LOVE it and a clever use for an under utilized room! The glass top was a GREAT idea and if I had that under the glass would be full of inspirations, photos, etc BUT I am betting you like the clean sleek look!

Your office is swoon-worthy! I'm in love with your PB table…great suggestion on the filing cabinet/door table. We'll be moving into a new house soon (well, hopefully), and I'm looking for all kinds of ideas for our little office.

LOVE THIS! Thanks for sharing. We have been thinking about doing the same thing, but I haven't gotten quite brave enough yet. Plus, I wonder what we would do with our dining room table and hutch. For now, I am glad to have my little closet!-Vanessa

Fabulous space you have now…and looks tidy to me! lol…know what you mean about so many projects and the always mess thoughWe moved house almost 12 months ago to gain creative spaces for us both so l'm now so lucky to have a 22'x12' conservatory with fantastic light and space…would share it but right now it's too untidy..on the to do list then l will add a picGreat post

I love this room!!!! What more can I say, it is absolutely beautiful! I am excited about this sharing of craft spaces, I have already checked out a few of them and have gotten some great ideas!! Can't wait for the feature! Thanks for all the work you put in, I really appreciate your blog!

wow! what a nice job you did on drywalling that arch in and adding french doors! how awesome it must be to work in there! so much light and space! it is lovely! thanks for hosting the linky party. there are some really great crafting spaces out there!

Love your office, it is gorgeous and right up my alley! I actually just finished assembly my new desk this weekend from IKEA this weekend….love that store! Any my walls are a similar shade of green too!

Jennifer ! You are simply amazing ! What a fantastic job outta that dinning room ! Your room turned out brilliant. Its a dream ! Its like a crafters haven. Love it. Love the paintjob, your cabinets and your organized baskets. Simply amazing girl !! Even, most of the ladies craft rooms are fabulous. I have a small room too but deciding between the choice to clean or to create, has left my room, very basic. But I love it still. Its the best part of my home after my hub and boys. Also loved reading your blog too. Just turned your follower, will visit again.NaushA creative Mom in Dubai.Doodlebuddies

Your craft room is amazing. I love it. I wish I had something like it. I have a space in the basement but there is a lot of storage in there. We don't have much storage room. I usually bring things upstairs to work on.

I love your color scheme! I amd ebating about putting doors on mine as well, we have almsot the same room configuration so it is nice to see how you closed yours in! All these gorgeous rooms linked up, I am excited to peek through them!!!

This is a beautiful room! I love everything about it. Do you have a specific link for the bookshelves that are from Ikea? I looked around and tried to find them on their site, but couldn't. Maybe I just need to keep looking… Thanks!

Your craftroom is lovely! We are about to undertake a similar project. The dining room is becoming the living room and the living room will be my craftroom.

I'm so very, very excited about this – I'm about to bust with excitement! The work begins on Monday and I'll be sharing it on my blog at http://www.theoldblockhouse.blogspot.com if anyone would like to follow our transformation.

Oh the irony! I just finishing up my creative space/ guest room. I'm sure I'll have it finished in time for this link party but I'll definitely make it in time for the weekend wrap-up!P.S. your Craft room is to. die.for!~Merrilee

I love these. They are all making me envious and wishing I didn't live in a tiny apartment. My husband drew up plans in Google Sketch-up to make a craft closet. He has recently gone back to school for fine woodworking and I cannot wait for him to be able to get started on it.

Simply Amazing craft room, YOU ARE SO DARN LUCKY. I want one so bad, but don't have a room to turn into one. Its darling. I also love your springy chevron pennant, but what of yours do I not love? HA! love ya. winks-jen

Your craft room is awesome! Right now I am using my dining room as a make shift craft room. One day when I don't have kiddos in the study attached to our bedroom I want to turn that into my craft room:)

Hi Jen,What perfect timing that you would post this today and I would be on here to read it today!I was JUST talking to my friend about turning our unused dining room into my craft room, but I didn't know how I would set it up…until I saw this post! (I've seen some pretty sad looking converted rooms and was afraid….)Love what you did here. It looks so cheerful and functional. Thanks for sharing!

Jen I love your craft room/office!! What a happy, fun place. I moved my craft room upstairs (to hide the mess) but we still do a lot of projects downstairs in the kitchen so I can see why you love having yours so close and convenient!

Love the vinyl on the door. Is that something that you can peel off at any time? Do you have to have a cricket type of machine to make it, or is available on the web? I need 3 big sliding glass door sheets of it.

super gorgeous and fun! my goodness thats the only thing i truly i wont be able to have until we buy our own home when hubby retires out of the army. its something i wish i had right about now…anyways, i love your stuff as always Jen. xoxo

[…] Tatertots & Jello recently transformed her dining room into a craft room. I’m loving the fabric banner as well as the french doors that can be closed to contain potential craft messes! Dining Room Turned Craft Room at Tatertots & Jello […]

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